Chapter 274 Glazed Despair, the Third Characteristic! The Impure Clothes are ordained by Heaven, Nine Categories of Impure Clothes
Located south of the Southern Heaven Domain, Yu Nan Dao governs "seven prefectures", "six states" and "nine cities", covering an extremely vast area.
The vast expanse of the region, including its domains, prefectures, states, and counties, is filled with the richest treasures.
This place is "Huaiyin Prefecture," located within Dongran Lake. The lake is vast, containing countless islands. Its hidden secrets remain largely unexplored to this day.
Legend has it that…
Dragon tracks were once found here. Deep within Dongran Lake, a true dragon dwells. The lake is abundant with fish, and several fish farms are established along its shores. Furthermore, the lake teems with "water bandits" and "water thieves."
It is said to be a vast, open lake, home to eight thousand bandits who called themselves heroes, ruthless and capable of devouring the most dangerous creatures. The lake is dotted with countless islands, scenic wonders, rare fruits, treasures, and tombs.
Flower boats glided through the water. The sky darkened, thunder rumbled, and a torrential downpour began. White mist rose from the lake's surface, creating a hazy, indistinct scene…
Inside the lowest level of the prison.
Li Xian revealed the "good news and bad news," and Bian Qiaoqiao trembled all over, her eyes filled with despair. Nangong Liuli's pretty face turned deathly pale.
After a moment of silence, Bian Qiaoqiao's eyes reddened, tears welling up. She twisted and struggled, her mouth full of complaints. She said she was still young, in the prime of her life. If she were to enter some awful water trough, she would surely be abused and ruined. Her clamor was extremely noisy.
Nangong Liuli had no heart to comfort her, letting her cry and fuss. But having been captured for so long, she had grown accustomed to frustration and resentment, and had even tried to kill herself. Her temperament had been tempered and hardened, and she gradually calmed down.
Li Xian moved a table and chairs, about half a zhang high, and placed them below Bian Qiaoqiao and Nangong Liuli. Although the Flower Cage Sect was despicable, their method of capturing and binding was quite ingenious.
The rope used to bind someone is called a "flower rope." It is made from the root of the "entanglement flower," which is dried, boiled, and then woven. It has a pale yellow appearance and resembles an ordinary rope. However, once it binds a person, it is extremely difficult to free oneself.
The knot will move all over the body. The more it moves, the tighter it becomes. If the captive is particularly fierce and struggles violently without stopping for a moment, the originally withered roots of the knot will gradually be revitalized, and it will grow flowers and bear fruit. It will not harm the human body, but it will be more secure and add a unique beauty.
Therefore, in the slang of the Flower Cage Clan, saying "flower-raising master" refers to someone with exceptionally high skills in capturing people. Even if a flower struggles, it is difficult for it to escape.
Li Xian observed the knots. The flower ropes crisscrossed, tightly binding all joints and vital points. The "tiger tendon rope" bound tendons and bones, making it difficult to move even an inch once entangled. The "flower rope" left room for maneuver, but it was relentlessly entangled, becoming tighter and tighter once entangled.
Looking back, the two women had been captured for several months. Some time ago, with the help of their families and chivalrous individuals, a large net was laid to surround them. The two women were locked in an iron box and carried around to evade capture.
The two women were transported to a pleasure boat within the past month and fled down the river. As soon as they boarded, they were hung here. Knowing there was no hope of escape, they attempted suicide by starvation. They went without food or drink for over ten days until Li Xian mistakenly boarded the pirate ship, at which point they resumed eating and drinking.
Two ropes hung from the top, suspending the two women in mid-air. The more they struggled, the more entangled they became. Li Xian, with her delicate fingers, tried to untangle the knots.
Bian Qiaoqiao had been suspended in limbo for a long time; to have her loosened even slightly was a tremendous blessing. He urged her on impatiently. Li Xian untied the knot, and the rope slackened.
Bian Qiaoqiao fell straight down, screaming in alarm and great fear.
Li Xian reached out and caught her waist, preventing her from falling, and gently placed her on the wooden table. Bian Qiaoqiao's waist and abdomen were on the table, and having something to cling to was much better than hanging high up and swaying with the river waves. Her tense posture immediately relaxed, and her eyebrows curved into a smile, looking very comfortable.
Soon, Nangong Liuli was also freed. Lying on the wooden table, her pretty face slightly flushed, she thought, "Lying on the table like this, isn't it like being a dish, at the mercy of others?"
She glanced at Li Xian secretly. Gradually getting used to this situation, she felt a strange sense of unease.
The two women had mastered spinal shaping, their waists concealing immense power. Now, lying prone on the wooden table, they only needed to subtly exert force with their spines to shatter the table. They could then use the broken pieces of the table as projectiles to kill, making it difficult for ordinary martial arts practitioners with rudimentary skills to get close.
Exhausted and weary, Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao sighed softly, too weary to resist any longer. Their muscles, long inactive, longed for someone to loosen their blood vessels. Li Xian fed them as usual, removing fish bones and bones… feeding them fresh, white fish meat.
Bian Qiaoqiao ate her fill and fell asleep snoring. Li Xian said, "Is she sleepy? Don't you two sleep all day?" Nangong Liuli said irritably, "Try being suspended like this. If you fall asleep even slightly, the rocking of the boat will wake you up from being knocked off your feet."
Li Xian said, "That's true, you guys must have had a tough time." She casually plucked a strand of Nangong Liuli's hair, twirled it, and tickled her foot, secretly exchanging glances: "How was yesterday?"
Nangong Liuli's heart skipped a beat, her eyes filled with resentment. Born into a wealthy family, she had always been proper and dignified, upholding the family's reputation. This was the first time she had ever spoken to someone in such a disheveled state. Nangong Liuli blinked and then opened her eyes again, indicating that it was neither a good nor a bad thing.
Li Xian gently scratched the sole of his foot with a silken thread and wrote: "The mechanisms here are complex. I have glimpsed a bit, but I am not certain. The probability of failure is extremely high. Please consider carefully whether to give it a try or not."
Nangong Liuli's feet were very itchy, and she suppressed her laughter, blushing with embarrassment. She blinked and said yes.
On the surface, Li Xian engaged in casual conversation as usual, inquiring about his experiences in the martial world, the deeds of heroes, and so on. In reality, he was multitasking, secretly writing with a strand of hair: "How is your martial arts cultivation?"
Nangong Liuli glanced at the snoring Bian Qiaoqiao. She thought to herself, "This good sister of mine is really carefree; she can still sleep at a time like this."
She blinked several times, indicating that they were both at the second level of martial arts. In the path of martial arts, realm is by no means the standard for measuring everything. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion considers realm as merely a reference when evaluating "prodigies" and "talented individuals."
Li Xian wrote again: "This place is located in a lake. It is surrounded by deep water on all sides. Is it afraid of the water? Will it sink?" Although he had a way to escape from the flower boat, the surrounding lake and the schools of ferocious fish... were also a great problem. If Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao were also helpless, the escape plan would die in the womb.
Nangong Liuli frowned slightly. It was common knowledge that those at the second realm feared water. However, the blood of a third-realm martial artist could alleviate the "pure ascending, turbid descending" process. Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao had distinguished backgrounds; before venturing into the martial world, their elders had offered them a blood-soaked soup. After the two women drank it, their fear of water was alleviated.
But wading through water is ultimately dangerous.
She blinked both eyes simultaneously, implying that she was both afraid and unafraid.
Li Xian thought to himself, "The methods of the scions of powerful clans and sects are indeed remarkable." However, he was terrified of water and said, "Alright. Don't be anxious. Over the next few days, I will slowly explain the intricacies of the mechanism and discuss an escape plan with you."
Nangong Liuli thought to herself, "If I can't untie the ropes, even if I know the ins and outs of the mechanism, I won't be able to get out of the cell."
The two conversed and negotiated. Nangong Liuli only communicated through eye contact, which was inherently inefficient. However, Li Xianji was extremely clever; he put himself in Nangong Liuli's shoes and guessed what she was thinking. He always responded accurately. In their back-and-forth exchanges, it was as if they were communicating from the heart.
Nangong Liuli was initially quite surprised, suspecting that Li Xian had mastered martial arts techniques such as "telepathy" and "mind reading." However, she later realized that this was not the case, and during their conversation and discussion, she felt as if their minds were intertwined. An indescribable joy welled up in her heart.
Li Xian secretly transmitted, "The rope matter... is indeed troublesome. The Flower Cage Sect's methods of capturing and binding are first-rate. Even if I were to help untie it myself, it would take a long time."
"If I expose myself, I'll be in danger. This part... you'll have to try it yourself."
Nangong Liuli was anxiously waiting; if she could find a solution, she would have already tried to escape. Her heart pleaded, her beautiful eyes filled with expectation, a sight that evoked pity. "Good hero... I am truly helpless; I hope you can offer some advice."
Li Xian hesitated, though he was willing to help, he would never risk his life for it. He wrote again: "These ropes bind your elbows, wrists, knees, ankles... many important joints. They also bend your hands and feet backwards, connecting your wrists. Trying to untie them all is futile."
"If you want to escape, choose the most difficult part to disentangle, so that your hands and feet are separated, and you can jump and move. Then quickly escape from the ship."
“In the days that follow, I will secretly smear fish blood on your ropes while feeding you. If you manage to escape the boat and jump into the lake, the ferocious fish there will surely bite you. The foul-smelling fish blood will attract the fish to bite first, and may loosen the ropes. But the danger is great, and whether you succeed or not... I cannot be sure.”
"And with this method... you two will only be able to escape. Because time is of the essence, and you have almost no ability to resist. If you are captured, all will be lost."
Li Xianshang is in dire need of protection. All that can be done is to offer assistance. Whether he can escape depends on Nangong Liuli's strategy and wisdom.
Nangong Liuli sighed, "This boy is indeed clever. This plan is a last resort, extremely dangerous, but it offers a sliver of hope. And it is indeed feasible."
But even if one escapes, the other cannot. Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao must escape first. Any delay, even for a fraction of a second, will result in their capture.
Nangong Liuli hesitated greatly. She knew the plan was dangerous, but she was extremely willing to try. If executed properly, it could indeed lead to escape. However, Bian Qiaoqiao was simple-minded; if she were abandoned, Nangong Liuli would be lost and helpless, which would be difficult.
She knew Bian Qiaoqiao's temperament even better. If she knew about this plan, she would also risk her life to try it.
The two women were unable to communicate. Li Xian's ability to subtly send signals by twisting silk and scratching her feet was useless against Bian Qiaoqiao, whose feet were tightly bound in animal-tanned boots.
Nangong Liuli sighed softly. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to leave the chance to escape to Bian Qiaoqiao.
"Bian Mei is not yet twenty, she is still very young. I have gradually gotten used to being captured. But she is always complaining, so be it... let her have her."
Li Xian packed up the soup box and hung the two women up again. Then he left. Nangong Liuli watched Li Xian's retreating figure, her eyes flickering.
In the days that followed.
Li Xian fed the animals at noon. He took the opportunity to convey the key principles of the mechanism, briefly describing the distribution and changes of the narrow passages within the ship. Nangong Liuli, being very clever, secretly memorized it.
The flower boat's mechanisms conceal a complex system that changes with the weather and seasons. The intricate variations within are no less complex than a martial arts technique.
Li Xian possesses double pupils and clairvoyance, allowing him to uncover secrets. He also travels with Wen Caishang on their escape. Along the way, they utilize various miscellaneous knowledge, including "Five Elements and Eight Trigrams," "The Book of Changes," and "Astrology," in their medicinal cuisine and feng shui practices.
Although she wasn't an expert in everything, Wen Caishang's knowledge was profound and extensive, and her speech was concise and to the point. Having cultivated Li Xian as her future husband, the knowledge she imparted must have been condensed and meaningful.
As Li Xian pondered the mechanisms within the ship, the principles and knowledge imparted by Wen Caishang naturally surfaced in his mind. It was as if complex and obscure truths had been transformed into practical applications, appearing before his eyes. Furthermore, his "observation of heaven and earth" and "clear-mindedness" allowed him to master the myriad skills of mechanisms without a teacher.
The ship's mechanisms were intricate and complex, revealing the wonders of the universe. Ye Cheng obtained the ship's blueprints and studied them diligently for years before mastering them. He could never have imagined that Li Xian, relying solely on his clairvoyance and various other skills, could glimpse even a fraction of it.
Over the past few days, Nangong Liuli became curious about Li Xian's identity. After a deep conversation with him, she was utterly astonished.
Li Xian spoke concisely, never elaborating or flaunting his knowledge. Nangong Liuli, born into a wealthy family, also enjoyed studying various subjects. From the subtle hints in his words, she could tell that Li Xian possessed a wide range of knowledge and undeniable talent.
He possessed many insights, far surpassing those of his family elders. In truth, while Li Xian was indeed intelligent, he was still young and his understanding could not possibly reach such a level. His knowledge was inherited from Wen Caishang, and he merely repeated many of her principles.
Nangong Liuli pondered carefully and gradually understood the mechanism within the ship. This place was a "desperate and impenetrable" predicament. However, with the changing fortunes within the ship, it was also extremely close to a chance for survival.
The layout of the narrow passages and the traps gradually took shape in her mind. She planned a route that would allow her to avoid being seen and escape when they were off guard.
Li Xian had already told her everything he knew. He could no longer help the two women escape. He observed the wind and the moon; tonight's west wind might be a good opportunity to escape. So he secretly told Nangong Liuli to make a decision quickly.
Nangong Liuli nodded silently. Her gaze was firm as she looked at Bian Qiaoqiao. She silently counted the time; the cell was dimly lit by candlelight. Time passed unpredictably, but she kept track of the ticking moments in her mind.
Around 9 PM, the sky grew dark. She knew that Ye Cheng was surely enjoying a sumptuous meal with the ferryman at this time, and would have no time to think of herself.
He twisted his waist and swayed his body, bumping into Bian Qiaoqiao. Bian Qiaoqiao was half asleep when she was suddenly awakened and looked around in confusion.
With her mouth sealed, Nangong Liuli could not speak. She thought to herself, "Even if I explain the workings of this place to Bian Mei, she will not understand. It would be better to just tell her how to escape."
Her beautiful eyes widened, looking quite serious. Seeing the fiery intensity in her eyes, Bian Qiaoqiao perked up and looked at her, puzzled. Their eyes met, their gazes mingling. Bian Qiaoqiao was simple-minded, but having shared hardships with Nangong Liuli, their hearts were subtly aligned. She immediately understood that Nangong Liuli had devised a plan to escape.
The two women hung separately, about ten feet apart. Nangong Liuli swayed her body, swinging towards Bian Qiaoqiao. The two women swayed from side to side like two pendulum bells, their skirts and hair fluttering.
Nangong Liuli whimpered. Bian Qiaoqiao seemed to understand, and swayed towards Nangong Liuli. The two women collided with a "bang".
Taking advantage of the situation, Nangong Liuli grabbed Bian Qiaoqiao's ponytail. Bian Qiaoqiao then grabbed Nangong Liuli's skirt. In this way, the ponytail stopped swaying.
The two women, who had been suspended in the cell, had tried every possible method. They had tried to untie each other's ropes more than a hundred times, but to no avail.
Bian Qiaoqiao was puzzled and thought, "Sister Liuli still won't give up. Fine... I'll just go along with her." Although she didn't have any hope, she still cooperated.
Nangong Liuli reached out and felt around, searching for the knots on Bian Qiaoqiao's body. With Li Xian's guidance, she knew the location of several key knots. Her slender fingers quickly found them, and she thought, "If I just untie these two, I can separate Bian's hands and feet and free her from the suspension. Although she is still bound, she will have the ability to move."
"Then escape through the narrow passage and out of the pleasure boat. Jump into the lake. She has already smeared fishy smell on the ropes, and the lake fish will bite and tear at them, so the other ropes will surely loosen. Bian Mei can then use the momentum to escape."
We'll make the plan in a little while.
Nangong Liuli anxiously reached out to untie the knot, her heart filled with urgency. She wanted to hurry. The knot was in a very awkward position; she couldn't reach her own, but she could reach Bian Qiaoqiao's.
With a hidden strength in her fingertips, she untied the knot. Bian Qiaoqiao's hands and feet were finally separated, her muscles and blood flowing smoothly as if being straightened. Exhilarated, she fell from the height, landing on her feet.
Bian Qiaoqiao sobbed, "Sister Liuli, I'll help you untie it!" She leaped lightly, using her light-footed skill to land on the table. With her hands still behind her back, she reached out to untie it.
However, without Li Xian's guidance, she would need to put in a great deal of effort to find the knot. This skill of finding the "knot" has an elegant name in the Flower Cage Sect: "Seeking the Flower." By then, she might fall into the hands of thieves again. Nangong Liuli trembled slightly, and with a flick of her inner energy, she sent Bian Qiaoqiao flying.
Bian Qiaoqiao was quite surprised and fell to the ground. She landed on both feet, her lightness skill already showing. She gracefully flipped in the air and landed steadily, looking at Nangong Liuli in confusion.
Both of them had walnuts in their mouths. Nangong Liuli sobbed, "You should run away first." Bian Qiaoqiao frowned, naturally unwilling.
The two women were unable to communicate due to a verbal sparring match. Nangong Liuli had anticipated this situation, so she concealed her strength in her palm and struck at empty air. Because her arm was difficult to extend, her move was quite distorted.
Bian Qiaoqiao, however, recognized the palm technique as "Daozu Mianzhang" (Dao Ancestor's Cotton Palm), a fundamental martial art of Daoxuan Mountain. The Nangong family and Daoxuan Mountain had historically maintained close ties, and although Nangong Liuli was not a disciple of Daoxuan Mountain, she had once practiced there.
This move is called "See You Later." The Cotton Palm... is a gentle, entangled technique. Daoxuan Mountain is known as the orthodox school of martial arts, its basic martial arts have been passed down for a long time, and any shortcomings have long been made up. With painstaking effort and dedicated study... reaching the pinnacle is within reach.
Nangong Liuli's palm strike demonstrated a level of mastery that was "at its peak." The move "We'll Meet Again" was intended to deliver a decisive blow. Bian Qiaoqiao, having grasped the essence of martial arts, thought that "We'll meet again" implicitly meant "We will inevitably part ways today."
Like close friends saying "we'll meet again" before parting ways, in palm techniques, it's a hidden killing move. A move that connects the beginning and the end.
Bian Qiaoqiao, knowing Nangong Liuli's temperament well, nodded in agreement. Nangong Liuli then unleashed two more moves, "The Great River Flows East" and "Tender Heart Turns a Hundred Times," respectively belonging to the "Daoist Ancestor's Cotton Palm" and "Nangong Long Fist" styles.
The "Great River Flows East" technique originated from the Daoist Ancestor's later years, a lament over the surging rivers. The Great Martial Dynasty's river system is complex. It flows eastward, westward... both are possible. This palm strike points eastward, indicating an attempt to escape eastward.
The "Tender Heart and Hundred Twists" technique is a family-inherited martial art of the Nangong family. It is extremely profound. Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao are good friends and often discuss martial arts, combining the essentials of both families.
Bian Qiaoqiao was playful and lazy, but she possessed exceptional talent in martial arts. She immediately understood the deeper meaning, guessing that there were countless traps and secret passages here, and that escaping eastward might offer a chance of survival.
Bian Qiaoqiao was still bound by ropes. Her hands and feet were together. She ran to the cell door, but when she bumped it lightly, the door was locked and she was bound by iron chains.
Her eyes flashed, and a finely crafted knife was hidden beneath her animal-tanned boots. Since her capture and binding, aside from her sword being removed, her clothing and accessories remained intact. No one had expected such a sophisticated knife to be concealed in her boots.
She bit the hilt of the knife and severed the chains. Pushing open the cell door, she used her light-footed skill to escape. In a single leap, she covered several meters.
Nangong Liuli watched her depart. After she disappeared into the shadows, a cold wind suddenly blew, leaving her hanging alone in the darkness, feeling an indescribable loneliness and fear.
She was by no means selfless; at this moment, she vaguely regretted giving Bian Qiaoqiao the chance to escape. She imagined the future: Bian Qiaoqiao would escape and ascend to heaven, returning to her position as a high-ranking disciple of Daoxuan Mountain. Meanwhile, she herself would face a life of hardship, unsure of her fate or who would control her.
Unable to hold back her tears, it was truly heartbreaking.
Bian Qiaoqiao fled eastward. She soon reached a narrow, winding path. With a resolute heart, she disregarded everything else and fled eastward as well.
They fled at breakneck speed, their hearts pounding with tension, sweat beading on their palms and soles. The boat passageway was fraught with intricate mechanisms, and heading only east made escape virtually impossible. Nangong Liuli's words were cut off, and her "Tender Heart Turns a Hundred Times" technique actually concealed three layers of palm force.
This refers to three "methods of adapting to changing circumstances." However, the principles behind these mechanisms are extremely complex, and expecting Bian Qiaoqiao to immediately grasp them and effectively utilize them in her escape is truly asking too much.
Li Xian observed secretly, sighed softly, and thought to himself, "If I don't help her, this girl will definitely go around in circles."
He waited somewhere in advance. He pretended to bump into Bian Qiaoqiao by chance, half chasing and half driving her away... guiding her to escape in the right direction.
Terrified, Bian Qiaoqiao increased her speed. Li Xian, desperate to clear her name, shouted warnings along the way. Gradually, more and more people began to chase after Bian Qiaoqiao.
Suddenly, her eyes were filled with light. She had escaped the cabin and arrived on the open deck. The bright moon hung high, shining like a silver basin. She hadn't seen the sun for a long time, and it was so dazzling that she felt it was blinding.
Overjoyed, she was also filled with helplessness. With pursuers closing in and her about to be captured again, she would rather die than suffer further humiliation.
The sentiment is exceptional.
She jumped straight into the lake, whereupon countless red fish pounced on her. Ye Cheng arrived late and, upon seeing this, paled. He surmised that this woman, at the second level of martial arts, with her hands and feet bound, would surely perish if she jumped into the water and was devoured by the fish.
Even if it were salvaged, it would only be a skeleton. It's a pity such a beautiful woman died like this; it's truly heartbreaking.
Ye Cheng asked, "What happened? How did this woman escape?"
Li Xian gazed at the lake, wondering if Bian Qiaoqiao was alive or had survived. Qiao Sanyan said, "We don't know either. We just... suddenly heard that she escaped. Then we chased after her, and she was cornered, so she fled to the lake and committed suicide."
Ye Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling a bit annoyed, and said to Li Xian, "That's right, you've been in close contact with this woman. Has anything unusual happened recently?"
Li Xian said, "Nothing unusual was observed." Ye Cheng frowned and pondered. His pleasure boat was intricately designed and extremely secure. If he didn't want to, even a fly wouldn't be able to escape the cabin. Coincidentally, he was entertaining the ferryman, drinking and enjoying the lake view, and neglecting his guard. It was precisely at this moment that Bian Qiaoqiao escaped from the cabin—a truly uncanny coincidence.
Li Xian said, "Elder Ye, I have been puzzled by this matter. These two women are no ordinary people, so why not send more people to guard the prison?"
Ye Cheng glanced at him, secretly displeased. This explanation implied that he was being blamed for poor planning. But it also reminded him that he was the only one who truly understood all the mechanisms on the ship. Anyone else who tried to tamper with it would only suffer greatly.
He thought to himself, "Upon closer examination, this matter is truly my fault. I have a deep understanding of the ship's intricate mechanisms, yet I was careless and never expected such an unexpected turn of events."
"This woman's fate is truly beyond help. So be it... Such a beautiful woman, turned into withered bones in the lake. Alas... What's wrong with her becoming a beautiful companion to serve us?"
He was unaware of Li Xian's secret machinations, and he didn't believe that anyone other than himself could unravel the ship's mechanisms and hidden passages. All of this could only be explained by fate.
Ye Cheng was slapped in the face, and thought, "Although the probability is small, if another woman also escapes in the same way, this trip will be a huge loss. The extradition envoy has a high status, and I need to treat him well in preparation for his future promotion. It is inevitable that I will neglect things on the ship."
“Indeed, someone should be chosen to guard that woman. I think this flower is quite capable.”
He then said, "That's right. Since you've made this suggestion, then fine. You can keep the other woman under your care. You'll be moving to the prison from now on. If any problems arise again, I'll hold you accountable."
Li Xian said, "Elder Ye, could you send two more men? If that woman finds out her companion is dead, she will definitely be furious." Ye Cheng said, "This is your chance to redeem yourself. The woman escaped, so at least you are guilty of negligence. If we follow the rules, it wouldn't be unreasonable to punish you with your life."
Li Xian said, "Very well, this disciple is willing to take responsibility."
...
Li Xian tidied up the room. She carried the bedding and mat to the bottom floor and laid them out in a relatively dry spot.
Nangong Liuli hung her head dejectedly, looking heartbroken, frustrated, lonely, fearful, and helpless. Li Xian lay on his side on the floor, curiously observing Nangong Liuli, quite surprised.
He knew that Nangong Liuli's temperament, strength, and wisdom far surpassed Bian Qiaoqiao's. He had communicated with Nangong Liuli for a long time, and his intention was to use her as an excuse to escape.
To everyone's surprise... the one who escaped was Bian Qiaoqiao.
Li Xian said leisurely, "Hey. Your sister has really caused me a lot of trouble. From now on, I'll have to take care of you day and night." Nangong Liuli was taken aback, only then realizing that Li Xian had already laid out a rough mat outside the cell.
He lay on his side, looking over with an air of nonchalance. He was incredibly dashing, and Nangong Liuli felt a sudden sense of comfort listening to his words.
Nangong Liuli nodded. Suddenly, the boat rocked slightly, causing her to sway from side to side. She couldn't help but feel very sad; in the past, when the boat rocked so violently, the two women would have collided with each other.
Li Xian said, "We've run aground. If I'm not mistaken, we should have reached 'Wanjiaolin' by now. In another four or five days, we'll be able to enter the Water Altar."
He sighed inwardly, "I... by some twist of fate, have truly become a petty thief of the Flower Cage Sect. The Yue Mountain Sword Sect, alas, is not meant for me. There's nothing I can do about it."
He held a blade of grass in his mouth, his hands behind his head. His posture was relaxed, and since resistance was difficult, he would submit for the time being.
Bored, he uncorked the walnut from Nangong Liuli's mouth. To avoid implicating Li Xian, Nangong Liuli feigned disgust and hurled insults. Then she burst into tears, her sobs genuine and heartfelt.
Li Xian watched the play from the sidelines. He offered no comfort, only occasional sarcastic remarks. His acting was quite convincing.
Nangong Liuli knew there was no hope of escape. Her expression was downcast. Li Xian tried to find something to talk about to help her cheer up, and also asked her some questions she was curious about.
Li Xian said, "Hey. You scions of wealthy families, do you really expect to be fed and clothed without lifting a finger?"
Nangong Liuli said, "There is also competition among family members. Spoiled brats squander their wealth and seek pleasure, but the enjoyment they derive is very low-level. It is not what we seek."
Li Xian asked, "How often does your family raise the cauldron? How is the fine food distributed?"
Nangong Liuli said, "You're very interested? I don't usually tell people about this. But since it's really boring, I might as well tell you."
“My Nangong family is very large, with many branches. Every month, the branches gather for a meal and to consume precious treasures. How they are distributed varies from branch to branch. On the day of the change of seasons, all branches gather in the clan hall.”
"This month, one can usually receive two portions of fine food. The younger members of the clan are often called out to spar, showcasing their talents and martial arts skills... Among them, those who are eloquent and have outstanding talents bring glory to the lineage. Naturally, they receive preferential treatment in terms of resources."
Li Xian sighed, "Ah... so this is the kind of life the children of powerful families live. It's truly enviable."
Nangong Liuli said, "What's there to envy? Family feuds happen all the time. When the lineage gathers for a meal, you have to bring glory to your father. When the family gathers for a meal, you have to bring glory to the lineage. There are layers of selection and competition, and the relationships are complicated and messy."
"It takes a lot of effort to stand out."
Li Xian said, "You should be content. Do you know what kind of life we poor, lowly people live?"
Nangong Liuli asked curiously, "Tell me about it." She had gradually calmed down. Li Xian said, "Me..." and began to recount her past life.
He made some minor edits, but the overall content remained the same: how they were starving and poorly dressed. When talking about Li Xiaofan, he praised him for his ambition and so on.
It was also a rare occasion for him to reveal his true feelings. Nangong Liuli listened to his story and couldn't help but imagine. Li Xian's words were witty, and he could tell a story with many twists and turns.
She was engrossed in the conversation, sometimes asking questions out of curiosity, and sometimes even posing absurd questions. Li Xian would tease her about it before explaining the actual situation.
Li Xian said, "Now you know. Although there is competition within the family, there is no need to worry about fine food. We have no worries about food and clothing."
Nangong Liuli thought to herself, "I have been supported by my family and have been able to achieve what I have today. I don't feel particularly proud of it. But Hua Wucuo, who came from a poor background, has worked hard step by step to achieve what he has. That is the most remarkable thing."
"I once cursed him, saying he wasn't even worthy of carrying the shoes of the geniuses of Daoxuan Mountain. But putting myself in his shoes, could many geniuses achieve such accomplishments if they were separated from their families and powerful families?"
She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild. Through the black iron bars, she observed Li Xian. He lay there gracefully, but the lighting was dim. He always seemed elusive to her.
Li Xian said, "By the way, I've heard that the second realm of martial arts is characterized by a turbid robe, and that the secrets are very profound. I'm quite curious about this humble disciple. Could you tell me about it?"
He rambled on about this and that, and then asked about this topic.
Nangong Liuli truly didn't mind answering: "What do you want to know?"
Li Xian smiled and said, "I want to know everything. Please tell me in detail."
Nangong Liuli was initially deeply saddened. However, with Bian Qiaoqiao gone and Li Xiandao arriving in her place, she felt somewhat relieved. She gave him a slight glare and slowly said, "Wearing turbid robes, you are no less beautiful than a celestial being."
"But the melodious fairy music requires collecting musical scores and matching it with martial arts. As for wearing the turbid clothes, that is determined by fate."
There are several kinds of filthy clothes in the world.
(End of this chapter)
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